Good GRE Score is dependent upon the institution that candidates want to opt for. GRE Score ranges from the scale of 130-170. These scores are credited based on one-point increment for both a quantitative and verbal section. However, a halff-point increment is credited for analytical writing and the score ranges from 0-6. Moreover, each of the subject tests yields a score on a 200-990 score scale, in 10 points increments. The average GRE score for Quantitative reasoning is 150.37, Verbal reasoning is 153.66, and Analytical writing is 3.60. Thus, the total score will be 303. The average GRE score for the subject test on the other hand is 689 for chemistry, 664 for math, 714 for physics, and 619 for psychology. Therefore, a good GRE score is anything that is higher than the average topic score.
How is the GRE Score Range Evaluated?
The GRE syllabus prepares candidates and monitors them for their speed and relevant skills. Based on the candidate’s ability to answer questions, the monitor adjusts difficulty levels of the test. Below mentioned are points that impact the GRE exam score range:
- Number of questions answered correctly.
- Correct answer credit acts as raw scores.
- There is no credit loss for wrong answers.
- Multiple answers or unanswered questions lead to negative scoring.
- Final score is equated based on the level of difficulty.
GRE General Test Score Range
Majority of the candidates enrol themselves for the GRE general test apart from the GRE subject test. GRE exam score range for general test is calculated with the sum of quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning. GRE test score range of verbal and quant follows a one-point increment pattern. Whereas GRE range of AWA follows is calculated on half-point increments. The GRE score range total has been mentioned below:
| Section name | GRE Lowest Score | GRE Highest score | GRE score range |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRE Quant | 130 | 170 | 130-170 |
| GRE Verbal | 130 | 170 | 130-170 |
| GRE AWA | 0 | 6 | 0-6 |
| GRE total score | 260 (130 of GRE quant + 130 of GRE verbal) | 340 (170 of GRE quant + 170 of GRE verbal) | 260-340 |
Effective from August 2011, ETS incorporated changes in the GRE exam score range. The new GRE test range is 260 to 340. Candidates can check GRE exam pattern for understanding score range and score weightage of GRE test.
Marking Criteria for GRE General Test
There are a number of elements that impact a candidate’s GRE general test score range. GRE AWA assesses a candidate's ability to think critically, and approach presenting an idea in an answer. The essays are evaluated by examiners and e-rater for GRE score range total. Candidates can check for raw scores and scaled scores from the GRE score chart. Below mentioned are factors that impact GRE general test score range:
- Number of questions attempted
- Speed of answering each questions
- DIfficulty level of questions
- Questions in Verbal Reasoning tests candidate’s ability to comprehend passages and answer
- Quantitative test questions are based on mathematical problems and statistics
- Analytical skills of the candidates.
- Coherence of the written answer.
- Presence of appropriate data and clarity within the written peace.
- Well organised, competent analysis of ideas and appropriate sentence structure.
- Supporting main points and highly persuasive examples.
GRE Subject Test Score Range
The GRE subject test score range is 200 to 990. The GRE exam score range is applicable to all the available GRE subject tests regardless of the number of questions. GRE subject test score range is from 200 to 990 for each of the six subject tests in 10 points increment. Though the original GRE range for each subject is lesser. The GRE subscore range of subject tests is generally 20 to 99 in one point increment.
GRE Score Range Percentile
GRE score range comprises two components; scaled score or the GRE general score range (130-170), and GRE percentile score. GRE score percentile is mentioned in the scorecard and candidates can compare relative performance with other test-takers. GRE score range percentile gives an idea of the performance of the other test-takers who took that particular test.
GRE Score Percentile for Verbal, Quantitative and AWA
Two tables have been provided below that portray GRE Score percentile for the three sections in GRE. Below mentioned table highlights the GRE score percentile for verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE test:
| Score (130-170) | Verbal Percentile | Quantitative Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | 12 | 8 |
| 145 | 27 | 20 |
| 150 | 48 | 38 |
| 155 | 69 | 59 |
| 160 | 86 | 76 |
| 165 | 96 | 89 |
| 170 | 99 | 97 |
Below mentioned table highlights the GRE score percentile for AWA section:
| Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | 1 |
| 2.0 | 2 |
| 2.5 | 8 |
| 3.0 | 18 |
| 3.5 | 42 |
| 4.0 | 60 |
| 4.5 | 82 |
| 5.0 | 93 |
| 5.5 | 98 |
| 6.0 | 99 |
Understanding Good GRE Score Range?
The average GRE score for verbal is 150 and 155 for quant out of the GRE total score range. Majority of the candidates are able to acquire a GRE score range between 300-305. A good GRE score range is considered to be between 300-305 for the GRE score range for top universities in the US. Candidates obtaining a GRE score range percentile of 97 can enrol themselves to study at IVY Leagues. To achieve that GRE score range percentile, both the GRE verbal score range, as well as the GRE maths score range, needs to be in the 170 range. Below mentioned are GRE good score range for better understanding:
Top Scores:
- VERBAL: 163 - 170
- QUANT: 165 - 170
- AWA: 5.0 - 6.0
Competitive Scores:
- VERBAL: 158 - 162
- QUANT: 159 - 164
- AWA: 4.5
Good Enough Scores:
- VERBAL: 152-158
- QUANTITATIVE: 153-158
- WRITING: 4.0
Average Scores:
- VERBAL: 151 or below
- QUANTITATIVE: 152 or below
- WRITING: 3.5 or below
Average GRE Score Range
GRE has a certain level of difficulty and scoring higher than the average score seems much difficult for the GRE candidates. The average GRE score of both verbal and maths is 150 and 155 respectively, therefore, the total average GRE score is 306. The test takers generally obtain a GRE score between 145-155 in GRE quant and verbal, so it is the average score range of GRE – it is rare to find candidates scoring over 160 in each section of GRE. These aspects are reflected in the GRE score report of the candidates.
GRE Score Range for Top Universities
The GRE score range for top universities in the US and others ranges from 155 to 160 and above. Thus, candidates willing to enrol themselves in these top universities are required to undertake effective GRE preparation. Every university has their own set of GRE score ranges for the programs they offer. Candidates need to know that a degree in engineering will require a different GRE score range than a program in humanities. Below mentioned are the courses that candidates need GRE good score range:
- MS
- MBA
Below mentioned tables highlight the GRE score range for each of the subject disciplines individually.
GRE Score Range for MS
The table below highlights GRE score range for M.S in top universities:
| Top Universities | GRE Score Range |
|---|---|
| MIT University | GRE Verbal: 158 |
| GRE Quant: 159 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5-5.0 | |
| Stanford University | GRE Verbal: 166 |
| GRE Quant: 162 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5-5.4 | |
| University of California | GRE Verbal: 157 |
| GRE Quant: 165 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 3.5+ | |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | GRE Verbal: 153 |
| GRE Quant: 155 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 3.0 | |
| University of Michigan | GRE Verbal: 154 |
| GRE Quant: 165 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 3.8 | |
| California Institute of Technology | GRE Verbal: 155 |
| GRE Quant: 165 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.0 | |
| University Illinois and Urbana Champaign | GRE Verbal: 155 |
| GRE Quant: 165 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.0 | |
| Northwestern University | GRE Verbal: 160 |
| GRE Quant: 154 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.75 | |
| Princeton University | GRE Verbal: 163 |
| GRE Quant: 165 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 3.5 - 4.0 | |
| Harvard University | GRE Verbal: 158 |
| GRE Quant: 157 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.75 |
GRE Score Range for MBA Programs
The table below highlights GRE score range for MBA in top universities:
| Top Universities | GRE Score Range |
|---|---|
| University of Chicago Booth | GRE Verbal: 161 |
| GRE Quant: 163 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5-5.0 | |
| University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | GRE Verbal: 162 |
| GRE Quant: 162 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5 | |
| Kellogg School of Management | GRE Verbal: 163 |
| GRE Quant: 163 | |
| Yale University | GRE Verbal: 155-165 |
| GRE Quant:160-167 | |
| Stern School of Business | GRE Verbal: 161 |
| GRE Quant: 161 | |
| The Fuqua School of Business | GRE Score (Verbal and Quant): 317 |
| Duke University | GRE Verbal: 163-169 |
| GRE Quant: 152-161 | |
| Tuck School of Business [Tuck] | GRE Verbal: 162 |
| GRE Quant: 162 | |
| Haas School of Business | GRE Verbal: 162 |
| GRE Quant: 162 | |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbour | GRE Verbal: 165 |
| GRE Quant: 154 | |
| GRE Analytical Writing: 3.8 | |
| Harvard University | GRE Verbal: 162 |
| GRE Quant: 166 | |
| Darden School of Business | GRE Score (Verbal and Quant): 321 |
| Columbia University | GRE Verbal: 154 to 167 |
| GRE Quant: 156 to 170 | |
| Sloan School of Management | GRE Verbal: 157-168 |
| GRE Quant: 158-169 |
It is evident from the above table that MBA and Engineering courses require higher GRE maths scores. However, higher GRE verbal scores are required for admission in psychology and education programs. But the GRE writing score range remains mostly the same in almost all the courses.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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